I support the creation of the Tillamook Bay Fire and Rescue District.
This new district is needed to solve one problem that has plagued both Bay City Fire and Tillamook Fire District for years, that problem is stable funding.
Bay City has been fortunate in the support of the citizens of Bay City. That support however comes in the nature of five year levies. These levies have an expiration date that leads to uncertainty when planning and budgeting for a modern agency. Every three and a half years we ask ourselves if the current levy is sufficient to maintain standards, do we need to raise this amount, and will the citizens accept another levy? My memory includes levies from $0.45 to $0.90 and finally $1.80. I also remember a time when the levy was not approved by, I believe insufficient voter turnout. That resulted in several hard decisions including the decision not to conduct required testing of equipment as well and no more purchases of new fire or personal protective equipment. It was fortunate that this occurred at a time when the Department was entirely volunteer, so no employment costs other than stipends and volunteer reimbursements were at issue. Today such funding emergencies would result in the Department being unable to pay employees.
The Tillamook Fire District also faces an issue regarding funding in that they are locked into a tax rate set in I believe 1993. That rate is $0.69 per thousand.
A vote to dissolve the Tillamook Fire District and a vote to create the proposed Tillamook Bay Fire & Rescue District will solve the issue of funding for the immediate future. This new rate still leaves the new district requesting less than the citizens of Bay City are currently paying. This rate is also less than Netarts-Oceanside and Nestucca Fire district, and only $0.01 per thousand more than Garibaldi Fire’s most recent levy. The new Fire & Rescue District will be supervised by a new elected board to provide local oversight of the district.
I volunteered and worked for the City of Bay City in the Bay City Fire Department for more than 25 years. During this time, I completed every job within the Department from trainee through Fire Chief. I have also lived within the Tillamook Fire District for more than 30 years, so I will see an increase of $0.80 per thousand like everyone else who owns property within Tillamook Fire District.
Darrell Griffith
Retired Fire Chief, Bay City Fire Department